Thread: Too tentative?

When I started straight razor shaving it was with some fear and trepidation. I used the straight in conjunction with my Merkur slant and Feather blade to get through my first two or three weeks with the straight gradually accomplishing more and more of the shave until it became 100%. Once I put the DE away I became a complete convert.

To my surprise shaving with a straight became preferable to me. I am not pedantic about it. If I liked a DE better or even equally I would either return to it full time or at least part of the time. I have a nice collection of vintage slants and Gillettes and I appreciate them but I so prefer straight razor shaving that I'd rather use a straight for every shave so far. Nothing is carved in stone so I may vary it someday but for me at present it is straights all the way.

Fido once you get the hang of it you can say goodbye to weepers and razor burn. Stropping will become second nature and skin stretching, blade angle, direction to attack from will all become automatic. A bit of a learning curve one shave at a time but well worth the time and trouble.

Thanks Jimmy

I found driving difficult at first and I'm pleased I stuck at it.
And golf was a bit tricky too.
So persist I will.
It's good to have encouragement.

One thing that's important in my view: No fear. Awareness: Yes, Fear: No. Fear brings all kinds of inhibitions when trying to do something. It's good to be aware of things that can go wrong, but if you're scared, you're more likely to make mistakes. I think at least.

My first 6 shaves took me 45 minutes each and they were not that good. There is a long learning curve with straights but you will get the hang of it after about 6 weeks.

Take Care,
Richard

I couldn't agree more, I'm almost already there and haven't gotten all the way through a good shave with the straight yet. Have a box of nortons, strops, paste, and two dovo's so far, BUT, know what I did? Bought a new DE, and thought maybe I should get the hang of that first as all I've ever used is those little power lawn mowers and the dreaded multi-bladed wonders of the 20th century. All I have acomplished by this little exercise so far is a lot of razor bumps, cuts, burns, etc. All in trying to keep that BBS shave I have, on occation, achieved! I will never give up! Thank's to you all!

Originally Posted by Fido

When I returned to DE shaving I quickly learned the importance of a light touch with the razor to ensure a smooth shave and the avoidance of burn and nicks. I now have my routine off to a fine art from preparation to finish and achieve consistently delightful results. A soft,comfortable, exceptionally smooth skin.

Two issues have struck me about straight shaving. One is emphasis on the care needed when stropping to avoid damaging either blade or strop and to achieve a fine edge. The other, the obvious one, the need to go carefully with the razor while shaving.

All this emphasis has in fact been taken on board by me, but I fear that it may seriously hold back my pogress and enjoyment of this new venture.

I really have not enjoyed my first, perhaps too tentative, forays into this new world.

As I approached my first below the sideburns shave with my new razor, I treated it as though it was going to electrocute me or slice me up! Even though I had practiced with a cheap razor and strop, the real thing with my new weapons was a very tentative affair.

My first attempt at a full shave was little better. I was so cautious! I stumbled through it, no nicks or disasters, just a slow arkward very light pressure shave of most of the flat areas finished off with a DE razor.

A few light passes on the strop. And put things away.

Why on earth am I doing this, I say? Do I really want to spend the next few weeks perfecting this business?

I then sit down in front of the TV. Within a few minutes I grabbed my laptop and was looking at a shaving video. The guy was pulling the razor over his face without a care in the world. It didn't look much like light pressure to me. He seemed to be pushing the blade quite hard across his face.

So I said to myself. Stop being so tentative. Your like a sportsman playing a cautious defensive game. Frightened to make mistakes. That's no way to win.

Now I'm not going back in to my bathroom today ready to break stropping records or grab the razor and start treating my face like a solid leather. I'm not going to throw caution to the wind. But I think I have to show whose boss or I shall be soon giving up this diversion and return to the comfortable DE routine.

Anyone else felt like this?

Yes, I know exactly how you feel. I had the same thoughts today, and came to the same conclusion that I was being too tentative also. I alternate between wishing I could shave more than once a day, because I can't wait for the next session thinking maybe it will all "click" this time, and wondering why I make myself sweat so over something I can do much quicker, better and easier with the DE.

But that is precisely the reason... I find it challenging. I have never had anything TRULY challenging that did not take effort, time, and some frustration thrown in it seems. I fly today because I put in the "stick time". I look forward to that BBS straight razor shave and expect it will feel as good as greasing one in on a short runway. Its not so much the shave or the landing itself, its knowing I'm on the path of becoming proficient at something and achieving a difficult goal. And along the way, I usually learn a lot... about myself. For me at least, it's not so much about mastering shaving, but self mastery.

Stick with it! Your doing fine.

Five days later and things are looking up. I'm doing a down pass and an up pass and avoiding the tricky part of my chin. Then I'm going across with my DE razor which deals with difficult against the grain areas and my chin. Hopefully it will not be too long before I can complete the whole shave with the straight. I will not rush it. I'm rather enjoying things now. I feel that I'm getting the best of both worlds. And my skin is feeling good.